Padding with Psych, HumanGeo, Environmental, etc. isn’t the same as two rigorous, core Science courses.
And I don’t this students are all saying this.
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I don’t understand the Allied Health program- what is it and why are you taking it?
The Allied Health program does not seem to align well with your goals of applying to Brown, Duke, Penn and Vanderbilt.
If you were aiming for a nursing program, or PT, or something like that, then from the little i know about your Allied Health program, it might then make sense.
Overall I think high school should be more foundational than vocational if you are aiming for such high caliber academic schools.
If you do want to continue Allied Health, you can have your guidance counselor write a note explaining the course conflicts. You can also look at online options like VHS Learning | VHS Learning or community college dual enrollment.
But you sound kind of busy 
Maybe you could tell us more about the Allied Health program and your reasons for doing it. On the surface, some of the AP classes sound like better preparation for the high level colleges you are aiming for, but if your Allied Health Program is good academically and makes you an outlier who is an interesting applicant, that might be appropriate, I honestly cannot tell from what you have written.
My only comment would be that you are applying to reach schools. Even if you take the additional AP gives you no guarantee of admission to those schools. Also, would that schedule overwhelm you ?
You obviously have interest in the health program.
So what if you went to Rochester or Syracuse instead of Brown?
Or Elon or Wake Forest instead of Duke.
If you can handle the APs then I get it ? But what will you lose program wise, given there’s no guarantee to get into the programs you mentioned. In fact, it’s likely you won’t get into any.
Just more to think about.
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Sorry I forgot to include that I’m applying to Brown’s PLME program, I’m interested in pursuing pre-reqs in medicine.
I already took AP Bio and AP Physics, and I really want to take AP Chem, as I’m looking to pursue pre-med prereqs; and because chem honors in sophomore year was basically cut short because of Covid.
Something Stem or Business, with pre-med reqs.
Although my counselor has not responded to me yet due to summer break, right now the most ideal situation (In speculation) would be self studying AP Calc BC through VHS, and taking AP Stat, AP Chem, AP Lit, and AP Gov or Econ at school; while still attending Allied Health.
I know that admissions at such top tier schools are a crapshoot for almost every applicant. But I don’t think my chances for admission are completely unrealistic, when referring to grades, ECs, standardized tests, etc.
I wasn’t saying I was going to apply to just Brown, Duke, UPENN, and Vandy. In fact, I am considering Rochester and Wake Forest. I have a healthy list of targets and safeties, as well as reaches. I know that admissions at top colleges can really just come down to chance.
My point is…if you love your schedule and you change it just for a small chance at a name, you may be disappointed in the end.
If you are going to med school you’ll need a great gpa and mcat…and a lot of luck.
Good luck
Can you explain what Allied Health is? Because it really doesn’t sound like the type of rigorous curriculum colleges you listed would want but it might be. Allied Health programs typically lead to be CNA certified which can lead to a good health related job while in college, but it’s not considered rigorous (even if at your school it’s selective).
What does your schedule look like with Allied Health and without it?
What AP classes have you already taken?
Chemistry is also a key course sequence for premeds so one truncated course sophomore year may not be strong enough for College Chemistry.
BTW: you stand no chance at any sort of BSMD program if your school offers Calc and you didn’t take it. However those programs are so selective (and, often, have such requirements that they’re not that useful) that switching may not change the outcome.
You don’t need to take every AP under the sun but calc and chem are foundational for would-be future STEM majors at top schools.
Why are you in the Allied Health Program? Are you really interested in it? Does it help you reach your goals? If so, is there anyway you can stay in the program and still take Calc? If you are interested in a potential STEM degree then Calc would be useful. I don’t know anything about the program you’re in but personally I think doing something different that you are passionate about helps you stand out rather than the typical high achieving student who just stacks on as many AP’s as possible.
Personally, I don’t buy the “you must take as many AP’s as possible” mentality to get into a top school. Schools understand that not all students have the same opportunities and there are scheduling issues. At my D’s school most top students graduated with 5 - 6 AP’s. The way they did the scheduling with AP’s just made it impossible to fit in more. The key is that your counselor is asked on their recommendation whether or not you took the most rigorous coursework available to you. Maybe you need to talk to your counselor about your rigor/lack of rigor and see if she feels you need to take more AP’s rather than follow your Allied Health track for her to check that box.
Good luck to you!
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Just a reminder that you can major in anything at college and (if you can afford it) do a post-bacc for premed prerequisites. Here is an example: Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Certificate Program | Pre-Health Studies | Georgetown University
We really cannot answer your questions without knowing more about the Allied Health Program and why you are taking it. Do you enjoy it? I doubt it would have any effect on future plans for medicine, but I don’t know enough about it.
VHS is not self-study. There is a teacher, it is structured, and our local high school not only accepts credit but joined as a school member, which meant 25 slots each term. VHS offers AP classes that prepare you for exams. (Don’t confuse this with the Canadian VHS. The one I am referring to is VHS Learning | VHS Learning
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Sorry I should’ve posted this earlier. This is directly from the program.
"The program is designed for college preparatory students in grade 12 who are interested in pursuing a medical or health science career after high school. The program is unique in that it is based in the hospital. Students enrolled in this program will report daily to the hospital where they will receive theoretical and technical instruction. In addition, through a bi-weekly schedule of clinical rotations, students will gain practical experience while working alongside the individual professionals in their specific departments. The Allied Health program is a great way for a student to test his/her dream of becoming a health care professional.
This program will take students into major departments of the hospital, such as – Emergency Room, Nursing Care Units, Medical Laboratory, Medical Imaging, Respiratory Care, Pharmacy, Cardiology, Physical Therapy, Intensive Care, and Operating Room."
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Just my opinion. It sounds great. I think if you add that description to the Common App additional info section would be wise. It’s an early way to see if you do (or don’t) desire medical career.
Can you see the outcome of prior kids in the program ? Talk to any about their experiences to see if they matched expectations?
Can you do a DE or community college class to add rigor ?
It is true you can get into a top college with less APs if your school offers few. They won’t penalize you for lack of rigor in that case…usually.
If you want to go to Medical School to become a MD, I would not let that Allied Health program get it the way of any core classes.
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Okay, so it’s observational/experiential, not academic. Sounds interesting, but more like an afterschool internship.
Do you take classes at the hospital and if so, which ones?
How many classes do you take through Dual enrollment or at your HS?
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Personally I think the Allied Health program may be premature for someone like you. It sounds like it might be geared more to those who want to go directly into CNA or RN or PTA programs at community college.
You might want to consider prioritizing foundational courses in the sciences, as well as enjoying high school life.
But if this is what makes you happy by all means go for it.
There are other ways to gain exposure to the field: volunteering, shadowing, working. You could do the CNA class with the Red Cross, which is one month long, or even get your EMT if old enough. Or take some classes at community college.
It sounds like the Allied Health Program involves a lot of time and takes you out of school physically and in other ways too. The med school decision is far away. You may change your mind. I would keep your options open by taking the classes you need for a wide variety of college and career options.
But that’s me, and being in the hospital learning sounds very appealing for sure.
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I agree, I’ll have to discuss with my counselor about my options, but she hasn’t gotten back to me.
Correct, it has less of an academic foundation.